Hurley Pro Global Video Trials announce official start date

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 May, 2014 - Today Hurley announced the start of the Hurley Pro Global Video Trials: the second annual virtual contest for the wildcard slot in the ASP World Tour event at Lower Trestles in Southern California.

For the first time, Hurley has opened its doors internationally to hopefuls age 13 and over, with an unprecedented qualify-by-video format.

“Typically, wildcard criteria for trials is based on geography; the idea of what we’re doing is the opposite,” said Hurley VP Surf Marketing Pat O’Connell. “Last year’s success showed the passion for the underdog surfer. We opened the opportunity to people who wouldn’t get it otherwise… hopefully we’ll get a kid we’ve never seen, from a town we’ve never heard of. This is his chance to be seen on a global scale.”

The winner will receive a trip to the Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles in early September to officially compete as one of the ASP Top 36 surfers.

“Trestles is largely regarded as the most rippable wave in the world,” said O’Connell. “We’re pursuing the best performers at the highest level of surfing, and we’re opening it up globally to anyone with a video camera. Anyone with the right skills can potentially earn their dream to perform on that stage.”

In line with last year’s competition, applicants are invited to submit video entries showcasing eight of their best waves (two waves per heat in a four-round contest) on thehurleypro.com from May 15th - July 15th. This model mirrors the format of actual ASP competitions, in which surfers are scored on their two best waves.

Sixteen top contenders will be chosen by the judge’s panel, which comprises Chairman and Founder Bob Hurley, VP of Surf Marketing and former professional surfer Pat O’Connell, Hurley Pro Contest Director Mike Parsons and iconic surfer Rob Machado. Beginning August 4th, the top 16 will be placed into brackets, and fans will vote for their favorite in each round in a man-on-man format. Popular vote will determine the winner, to be announced August 8th.